Welcome back to NHL Predictions, April 11th edition! Each day, the Last Word On Hockey team will break down every game and give our NHL predictions for each game. This is the second slate of NHL Predictions for April 11th featuring the Boston Bruins vs. Washington Capitals. Be sure to check out the first slate of NHL Predictions, too.
NHL Predictions Featuring Boston Bruins vs. Washington Capitals
Colorado Avalanche vs. Anaheim Ducks
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 5 – 2 Ducks
Facing off in their last matchup of the regular season, the Colorado Avalanche take on the Anaheim Ducks tonight. Despite their shaky start to the season, the Avalanche have found themselves at the top of the league rankings. Sitting four points above their next West Division opponents, the Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado is dominating. In their sixth faceoff on Friday, the Avalanche shut out the Ducks. 28 saves from rookie goaltender Jonas Johansson, as well as goals from Valeri Nichushkin and Mikko Rantanen, put the Avalanche on top. Superior in all facets of the game–offence, defence, and goaltending–Colorado will collect another two points against Anaheim.
Prediction: Avalanche win 5-2.
Dallas Stars vs. Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Stars 3 – 3 Predators
The Dallas Stars take on the Nashville Predators for the seventh time this season. The Stars started off their season with a mini-series sweep of the Predators, but fell to them once in overtime, and twice in a shootout. Evidently, Nashville can not beat Dallas unless they take them out of regulation. With a record of 22-18-1, the Predators sit at fourth in the Central, and in solidly in the playoff picture. As for the Stars, they are five points behind the Predators and sixth in the West. If they can keep the Predator’s offence from tying them, they will take the win. And, with Filip Forsberg, Matt Duchene, and Eeli Tolvanen out with injuries, as well, as several Nashville blueliners, the Stars shouldn’t have a problem.
Prediction: Stars win 4-1.
Boston Bruins vs. Washington Capitals
Head-to-Head: Bruins 3 – 2 Capitals
Playing their sixth game of the regular season tonight, the Washington Capitals look to tie the Boston Bruins in the eight-game series on the season. In their matchup on Thursday, the Bruins came out on top in a 4-2 win, with goals from Jeremy Lauzon, Anton Blidh, and Brad Marchand, and Craig Smith. Washington fell short of a comeback, despite goals from Alex Ovechkin, T.J. Oshie. With a record of 26-11-4, the Capitals head the East Division and are at fifth in the league rankings.
As for Boston, they sit at fourth in the East, with a record of 21-11-6. Although both of their starting goaltenders are out with injury, Jeremy Swayman was able to pick up the slack on Thursday. Playing with such an experienced netminder–Swayman has played just three games in the NHL–the Bruins crease is vulnerable. With the veteran offence on Washington consisting of Ovechkin, Oshie, Nicklas Backstrom, etc., Boston won’t be able to hold off the offensive onslaught.
Prediction: Capitals win 5-2.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
